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Fitchburg mayoral race touts experience vs. change

By Anna Burgess, aburgess@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
11/02/2015 11:19:45 AM EST

Fitchburg's mayoral debate between current state Rep. Stephen DiNatale, left, and attorney Andrew Couture was held at Kent Recital Hall on the Fitchburg State University campus on Thursday evening. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE photos / Ashley Green

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FITCHBURG -- Mayoral candidate Stephen DiNatale's previous experience in government was a focal point of Thursday's debate between DiNatale and his opponent, Andrew Couture.

"You've been a state representative now for eight years?" Couture asked DiNatale at one point.

When DiNatale responded that he has, in fact, been a state representative for nine years, Couture said, "what has happened (for Fitchburg) in the past nine years?"

It was a telling exchange, illustrating the difference between the two men's debate tactics.

The audience applauds during the mayoral debate.

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

While DiNatale repeatedly touted his work in local and state government as a positive, Couture attacked DiNatale's past governing decisions and tried to portray him as a political insider.

The hourlong debate, hosted by Fitchburg State University and moderated by university President Richard Lapidus, covered a number of city issues, including revitalizing downtown, working with local schools, and improving the business climate.

The election is Nov. 3.

Candidates were asked 12 questions by a three-person panel, and were given time after answering to rebut one another and discuss questions in greater detail.

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They were also given time at the end of the debate to each ask one question of their opponent, and to make a closing statement.

From the first question, which asked the two candidates why they want to be mayor, DiNatale tried to paint his political experience in a positive light.

"I've given 15 years of my life to public service, on the School Committee, the City Council, and as state representative," he said.

In contrast, Couture said he wants to be mayor because "the city needs change.

Andrew Couture listens to a question from the panel.

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

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During discussion of a question on how the candidates would "pitch" Fitchburg to a potential new business owner, Couture said DiNatale has done little for the city during his time in government.

DiNatale voted against increasing local aid multiple times, Couture said, and voted in favor of Gov. Deval Patrick's budget, which opposed lowering the state income tax.

"Votes are very complex on a state level," DiNatale said in response. "Local aid has increased by 10 percent over the past eight years, and I have voted not to raise taxes more times than voting to raise taxes."

DiNatale also targeted Couture's lack of experience in local government.

Stephen DiNatale answers a question from the panel.

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

After Couture said a landlord registry for the city would need to be more than a directory so that landlords could be held accountable for problem properties, DiNatale said the NICE committee already works to hold landlords accountable in this way.

"Do you know who attends meetings of the NICE Committee?" DiNatale asked Couture.

When Couture mentioned only the Board of Health and the Building Department, DiNatale said he had left out the mayor, police chief, fire chief and Mark Goldstein, the assistant city solicitor.

Both candidates were confident in their answers to some questions.

Asked how he would take on the mayoral role as School Committee chairman, DiNatale said he would commit to meeting the city's net school-spending requirement.

Panel member Tricia Pistone asks a question.

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

Couture said he would try to work closely with teachers, and would improve school facilities.

In response to a question about making the city business-friendly, Couture said he would reach out personally to business owners, make permitting processes easier for businesses, and "above all, market the city."

DiNatale also said he wanted to simplify permitting processes, and to get college students and others to walk in the downtown area more regularly.

Both candidates also stumbled at certain points.

When Couture asked DiNatale what he had accomplished for Fitchburg over the past nine years as a state representative, DiNatale paused for several seconds before responding. He looked down at his notes, saying, "I'm looking for some accomplishments," before eventually listing a number of initiatives.

Similarly, Couture struggled with the question posed to him by DiNatale. Couture had previously said he would support another charter school in Fitchburg, and when asked what programs he would cut from the current school budget to pay for this charter, Couture did not respond.

He said he thought a new charter school would include students from other districts, and bring revenue in that way, but never directly answered DiNatale's question.

Earlier in the evening, both candidates had trouble when asked how they would convince a business owner to come to Fitchburg.

Couture seemed unsure in his response.

"Fitchburg is a town that has many thriving potentials," he said. "We can utilize the river for electricity, utilize solar and wind, we have plenty of people in the city looking for jobs, and plenty of marketable resources within the city."

DiNatale was confident, but non-specific, in his answer.

"We are open for business," he said. "We are a user-friendly city, we want to help you get to yes."

The two men received standing ovations from their respective supporters at the debate's conclusion.

Panelist and FSU student Stephany Infante said after the debate that she was impressed with both candidates.

"They both answered the questions well, they stood for what they believed in and made that clear," she said. "At this point, it's up to the citizens of Fitchburg, what they want."

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